FrostDateByZip

Frost dates for 85141Picacho, AZ

The average last spring frost in Picacho is February 6 and the average first fall frost is December 9, giving a typical growing season of about 308 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost
Feb 6

Safer after Mar 5 (1-in-10 risk)

Average first fall frost
Dec 9

Possible by Nov 22 (1-in-10 risk)

Growing season
308 days

First frost typically in 43 days

Frost risk by date

NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.

Spring dates: chance of a frost AFTER the date. Fall dates: chance of a frost BEFORE the date.
TemperatureLast spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chanceFirst fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chanceGrowing season (50%)Years with at least one
Light frost (36°F)Feb 2 · Feb 28 · Mar 26Nov 11 · Nov 29 · Dec 15271 days100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)Jan 6 · Feb 6 · Mar 5Nov 22 · Dec 9 · Dec 26308 days99%
Hard freeze (28°F)Dec 17 · Jan 14 · Feb 13Dec 1 · Dec 19 · Jan 22342 days83%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 85141 is matched to the NOAA station Picacho 8 Se, AZ, 5.6 km away, at 1,981 ft elevation (295 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

StationElevationAvg last frostAvg first frost
Picacho 8 Se, AZ (used)1,981 ftFeb 6Dec 9
Eloy 4 Ne, AZ1,545 ftFeb 24Nov 28
Robson Rch, AZ1,495 ftFeb 7Dec 3
Arizona City, AZ1,525 ftFeb 28Nov 21

Frost dates near Picacho

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Picacho, AZ?
For ZIP code 85141, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Picacho 8 Se, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 5.
When is the first frost in Picacho, AZ?
The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 85141?
In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 308 days long.
Are these frost dates a forecast?
No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.